English: This image was created by an official Japanese photographer who was either part of the Imperial Japanese Army or attached to the army in 1942. The image was taken in the Straits Settlements at the ceremony that marked the transition from British colonial control to Japanese control. As such, it could be intrepreted that British colonial law applied as being in force prior to the ceremony, Japanese law applied as being in force after the ceremony or subsequent Singaporean law applies following the independence of the territory from colonial rule. The following sections set out the licensing applicable in all three scenarios, and indicate that the image is in the public domain regardless of jurisdiction.

English: Under the terms of the w:Treaty of San Francisco, Allied forces confiscated all overseas assets owned by the Japanese government, firms, organization and private citizens, in all colonized or occupied countries. The photographic assets (including copyright) related to the surrender ceremony were likely seized by the Allied forces and ownership of the copyright transfered to the British colonial authorities.

English: Under the argument that the copyright of the photographs were not seized as an overseas asset of the Japanese government, Japanese law related to photographs may apply. Under Japanese law, the photo would be in the public domain.

English: Photographs of the surrender ceremony were published in Singapore in 1942. As such, it could be argued that Singaporean law applies to the copyright. Under Singaporean law the photo entered the public domain 70 years after publication.